ART BEAT

“The world today doesn't make sense, 

so why should I paint pictures that do?” 

Pablo Picasso

Picasso, if he did nothing else, knew how to keep the art world stirred up.

Hello and welcome to the first posting of Art Beat.

My family and I have been LaGrange residents for over 45 years and we’ve seen the village grow from a sleepy commuter stop to a vibrant shopping and dining destination. Part of that growth has been an interest in the visual arts with new galleries opening and increased attendance at art classes and workshops.

My goal is to keep you interested and informed about art, artists and art events locally, wherever and whatever. I’ll stick to the visual arts...painting, drawing, sculpture etc. because that’s what I know best. I’ll talk about artists, exhibits, art shows and festivals, and art classes of note. In future postings, I’ll offer critiques of submitted work whether from a budding artist or a lifelong devotee. At school, I remember Art History class was an early Monday morning slide show conducted, apparently, by a deaf lecturer because you couldn’t hear anything but hangover snoring. So I’ll make it a point not to be tedious if I write about art history. Did you ever try painting a landscape picture or consider how a beautiful outdoor painting was accomplished? Rain, lightning, heat, cold, wind, mosquitoes and sidewalk critics can all be part of the experience. Look for anecdotes occasionally such as when painting in Italy recently, a goat ate several tubes of my oil paint!

The Chicago area is a mecca for art, artists and art collectors, from the classical

to bizarre and abstract and there is no shortage of interesting stories right here. Did you know that a La Grange resident and painter is the grandson of the founder of one of the country’s most prestigious art academies? And one of our public schools houses a superb collection by a nationally acclaimed painter? 

More of these in future posts.

In case you need to know, here’s a brief version of my background.

I graduated from The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago and my youthful ambition was  to be a famous painter. It dawned on me that this might take some time and I would be eating corn flakes for dinner so maybe I should get a job. I then began a forty year career in Chicago advertising from studio artist to ad agency creative director. 

I resumed painting in 1994 after attending evening classes at The Art Institute and began painting full time in 2000 after retiring. Since then I’ve had successful one-man gallery exhibits and art shows, including La Grange’s West End Festival, in the midwest and east coast. My paintings have won several show and gallery merit awards and ribbons including Best Of Show and First Prize. Commissions include a Street Art Series painting for the introduction of the Chevrolet SSR and a series for Edward Hospital’s Healing Arts Division.

I frequently do critiques and painting demonstrations for art organizations and schools, Cossitt school in particular, and have been a featured artist on WGN-TV, WMAQ-TV, in the Chicago Tribune and area suburban newspapers. My favorite painting subjects are sports, cityscapes and urban life. Most recently, “Wrigley Rainout” was awarded 3rd place in American Artist magazine’s 70th Anniversary watercolor competition. The painting has become somewhat of a local favorite, thanks in no small part to Scotty at the House Of Color who features a beautifully framed print front and center at his shop.

My wife, Jacqueline and I regularly attend painting workshops in the US and Europe and we both teach painting classes at the La Grange Art League and DuPage Art League.

My paintings hang in private and corporate collections in Italy, the UK, Canada and throughout the US. I’m a member of the La Grange Art League, where my work is exhibited locally, Elmhurst Artists Guild, Naperville Art League, DuPage Art League and the National Transparent Watercolor Society. I’m represented Phyllis Lucas Galleries, NYC.

Thanks for dropping by. See you next post.

Gordon France

LTHS Presents Metamorphoses

The Lyons Township High School Theatre Board proudly presents “Metamorphoses” by Mary Zimmerman. Faculty member Lawrence Keller is the director, and juniors Kristie Denlinger, of Western Springs, and Tim Johnson, of LaGrange, are the assistant directors. A magical evening of ancient myths comes to life in ways you never imagined. “Metamorphoses” tells the stories of such mythological figures as Midas, Aphrodite, and Narcissus. Join us for an evening of theatre that is literally thousands of years in the making.

Performance dates are Thursday, Friday, Saturday November 20, 21, 22 at 7:30pm in the North Campus Reber Center for the Performing Arts, 100 S. Brainard, LaGrange. Tickets are $10 ($5 for children and senior citizens). Tickets may be purchased in the box office before the show. The theatre opens thirty minutes before curtain and the show starts promptly.

GETTING MY JAZZ ON AT SoTISH

by Scott Hardesty

I ventured into SoTish (www.sotish.com) on a Saturday evening not knowing who was playing or what to expect. My posse’s musical tastes are as divergent as our ages but we all like the jazz and we all like the blues, which made SoTish a good option for our after-dinner evening out.

First, about the music. While I appreciate jazz I am far from an aficionado and couldn’t BS my way through a discussion on jazz without sounding like I was BS’ing my way through a discussion on jazz. While my musical preferences are too schizophrenic to articulate in the space of a blog posting, one rule does apply: regardless of genre, I seek music that oozes soul. I don’t do music “lite” and if a band’s repertoire includes TOO many songs co-opted as VW or Budweiser jingles generally I’m not having it.

So, when it comes to jazz all I can talk about is what sounds and feels good to me. And the act that Saturday night at SoTish sounded and felt REAL good. The Black Earth Strings Quintet, led by flutist Nicole Mitchell (www.nicolemitchell.com), rocked out jazz-style. One piece in particular, Journey for Three Blue Stones, had everyone at my table transfixed, very much in the moment, and quick to plunk down cash for the quintet’s CD. I doubt anyone in the room would have objected if BESQ wanted to play all night long. Kudos to owners Tim and Sue for bringing this excellent quintet to LaGrange. If the Black Earth Strings Quintet is any indication of the type and quality of the acts performing at SoTish then I will definitely be back for the music.

As for the venue, SoTish’s cozy size makes for a uniquely intimate concert experience as you get up close and personal with the musicians in action. If you prefer your music delivered in a comfortable almost homey atmosphere, surrounded by eclectic decorative art (available for purchase), where you can enjoy unobstructed acoustics and views without bumping elbows then SoTish delivers.

I was so pleased with this place that I found myself making a mental commitment to visit again as it just “worked for me.” Great music, eye-catching art, a decent beverage and dessert menu and a friendly and attentive staff combined to create a very cool yet laid back vibe.

So, if you’re looking to make a foray into the local music/art scene (or maybe you just don’t want to schlep into Chicago to satisfy your hankering for a hunk of culture) then SoTish is So worth checking out.


INFO:
Visit before or after dinner as the menu at SoTish is limited to beverages, appetizers and desserts. Show times are 7:30 and 9:30 and last approximately 60-90 minutes. Admission is $20 per person. A complimentary appetizer is served during the first show and dessert with the second. There is a two-drink minimum. Reservations are recommended. Dress is evening casual.